He did not feel under the good graces of a Kawasaki factory, which nevertheless did the essential in bringing him where he is, and it was Yamaha which reaped the laurels. The Japanese of Akashi therefore let Toprak Razgatlioglu slip away who delighted Iwata's compatriots by celebrating their first victory this Saturday thanks to him, in a WSBK season which is off to a good start. The first four pilots gathered in 137 thousandths and apart from Van der Mark, beaten by his new Turkish teammate, all discovered their new mount in the battle which counts...
Toprak Razgatlioglu did not have the opportunity to ride in the official team Kawasaki, but he did not miss the opportunity to Phillip Island to start his career as a factory driver Yamaha with a victory. An achievement snatched by a few thousandths at the end of a real battle of ragpickers in front of alex lowes, who drove on the R1 until last year, and who now has a Kawasaki what the winner of the day hoped for, and a Scott Redding which begins its life in World Superbike with a third place. The disappointed one is called Van der Mark, left at the foot of the podium while he was until then considered the spearhead of Yamaha , which still puts two of its drivers in the leading group.
The 23-year-old pilot and protégé of Sofuoglu is also the first leader of the championship. “ I feel much better on the Yamaha since the third test session “, the Turk told Speedweek. “ The R1 is easier to ride and I have more grip on the rear wheel. I felt ready for the race, but I was extremely stressed: for the first time I was racing with the Yamaha and as a factory rider! I always said I needed a good result »
The first round was fought like never before, sometimes six pilots fought at the top, in the end four pilots remained. Razgatlioglu led the race in laps 15-18 and 21-22.
« I managed the tires first and followed Redding and Michael. Over the last four rounds, we got to work ", said the pilot Yamaha . " Two laps before the end I had a problem with the rear tire. At the Parc Fermé, I saw that a piece of rubber was missing. The bike kept sliding. The last curve was scary. I accelerated, but the tire went crazy. However, I was able to win! ».
« But victory was close. Lowes came close and almost won. For Sunday we need to adjust the setup to protect the rear tire. Maybe I attacked too much in the first round, I don't know yet. Superpole pace with 10 laps won't be a problem, but we have to do something for the important second round » Toprak finishes.
WSBK Phillip Island Race 1: classification
